Liquid cooling device

ABSTRACT

A liquid cooling device includes an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper plate and the lower plate are combined together to define a chamber. A liquid working medium is accommodated within the chamber. The chamber includes a heat-absorbing section, a heat-radiating section and a driving section. The heat-absorbing section is in thermal contact with a heat generation element to absorb heat from a heat generation element. The heat is transferred to the liquid working medium, and a temperature of the liquid working medium is increased. The heat-radiating section is connected with a heat dissipation device. The heat is removed by the heat dissipation device, so that the temperature of the liquid working medium is decreased. The driving section is connected with a driving device. The liquid cooling medium with the decreased temperature is driven by the driving device and returned back to the heat-absorbing section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cooling device, and more particularly to a slim-type liquid cooling device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays, a liquid cooling device is widely used. For example, a liquid cooling device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,682 comprises a liquid cooling head, a liquid cooling radiator and a liquid pump. The liquid cooling head, the liquid cooling radiator and the liquid pump are separate components. After the three components are connected with each other through communication pipes, a circular loop is defined. However, as the trends of designing the electronic device is toward miniaturization, the structure of the liquid cooling device inside the electronic device is not applicable. It is necessary to install the liquid cooling device in the narrow space while reducing the number of the communication pipes and avoiding liquid leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For solving the drawbacks of the conventional technologies, the present invention provides a liquid cooling device. The liquid cooling device is a small-size liquid cooling device. The liquid cooling device is produced and installed more simply. Moreover, the possibility of leaking the working medium is minimized.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid cooling device. The liquid cooling device includes an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper plate and the lower plate are combined together to define a chamber. A liquid working medium is accommodated within the chamber. The chamber includes a heat-absorbing section, a heat-radiating section and a driving section. The heat-absorbing section is in thermal contact with a heat generation element to absorb heat from a heat generation element. Consequently, the heat is transferred to the liquid working medium and a temperature of the liquid working medium is increased. The heat-radiating section is connected with a heat dissipation device. The heat is removed by the heat dissipation device, so that the temperature of the liquid working medium is decreased. The driving section is connected with a driving device. The liquid cooling medium with the decreased temperature is driven by the driving device and returned back to the heat-absorbing section.

In an embodiment, the heat dissipation device includes plural fins and a fan.

In an embodiment, the driving device includes an impeller, and the impeller is disposed within the driving section of the chamber.

In an embodiment, the upper plate and the lower plate are combined together by a laminating process.

In an embodiment, the upper plate includes a top part and a first lateral part, and the lower plate includes a bottom part and a second lateral part. The first lateral part and the second lateral part are attached on each other.

In an embodiment, the lower plate includes a bottom part and a lateral part. The lateral part of the lower plate and the upper plate are attached on each other.

In an embodiment, the upper plate includes a top part and a lateral part, wherein the lateral part of the upper plate and the lower plate are attached on each other.

In an embodiment, the upper plate includes a top part and a first skirt part, and the lower plate includes a bottom part and a second skirt part. The first skirt part and the second skirt part are attached on each other.

In an embodiment, the upper plate includes a top part and a skirt part. The skirt part is attached on the lower plate.

In an embodiment, the lower plate includes a bottom part and a skirt part. The skirt part is attached on the upper plate.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid cooling device. The liquid cooling device includes an upper plate, a lower plate, a liquid cooling radiator and a driving device. The upper plate and the lower plate are combined together to define a chamber. A liquid working medium is accommodated within the chamber. The chamber includes a heat-absorbing section, a first extension section and a second extension section. The first extension section is arranged downstream of the heat-absorbing section. The second extension section is arranged upstream of the heat-absorbing section. The heat-absorbing section is in thermal contact with a heat generation element to absorb heat from a heat generation element. Consequently, the heat is transferred to the liquid working medium, and a temperature of the liquid working medium is increased. The liquid cooling radiator is connected with the first extension section. The driving device is connected with the liquid cooling radiator and the second extension section.

In an embodiment, the upper plate and the lower plate are combined together by a laminating process.

In an embodiment, the upper plate includes a top part and a first lateral part, and the lower plate includes a bottom part and a second lateral part. The first lateral part and the second lateral part are attached on each other.

In an embodiment, the lower plate includes a bottom part and a lateral part. The lateral part of the lower plate and the upper plate are attached on each other.

In an embodiment, the upper plate includes a top part and a lateral part. The lateral part of the upper plate and the lower plate are attached on each other.

In an embodiment, the upper plate includes a top part and a first skirt part, and the lower plate includes a bottom part and a second skirt part. The first skirt part and the second skirt part are attached on each other.

In an embodiment, the upper plate includes a top part and a skirt part. The skirt part is attached on the lower plate.

In an embodiment, the lower plate includes a bottom part and a skirt part. The skirt part is attached on the upper plate.

In an embodiment, the liquid cooling device further includes a first communication pipe, a second communication pipe and a third communication pipe. The liquid cooling radiator and the first extension section are connected with each other through the first communication pipe. The liquid cooling radiator and the driving device are connected with each other through the second communication pipe. The driving device and the second extension section are connected with each other through the third communication pipe.

From the above descriptions, the present invention provides the liquid cooling device. The upper plate and the lower plate are combined as a combined plate structure, which is slim. Moreover, the functions of the liquid cooling head, the liquid cooling radiator and the liquid pump are integrated into the combined plate structure of the upper plate and the lower plate. Consequently, the size of the liquid cooling device is reduced. In an embodiment, the upper plate and the lower plate are easily and quickly combined together by a laminating process or a welding process. Consequently, the process of assembling the liquid cooling device is simplified, and the possibility of leaking the liquid working medium is minimized.

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a liquid cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a heat-absorbing section of the liquid cooling device of FIG. 1 and taken along the line 2A-2A;

FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a variant example of the combination of the upper plate and the lower plate in the liquid cooling device of the first embodiment;

FIG. 2C is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another variant example of the combination of the upper plate and the lower plate in the liquid cooling device of the first embodiment;

FIG. 2D is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another variant example of the combination of the upper plate and the lower plate in the liquid cooling device of the first embodiment;

FIG. 2E is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a driving section and a driving device of the liquid cooling device of FIG. 1 and taken along the line 2E-2E;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a liquid cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a heat-absorbing section of the liquid cooling device of FIG. 3 and taken along the line 4A-4A;

FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a first extension section of the liquid cooling device of FIG. 3 and taken along the line 4B-4B; and

FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a second extension section of the liquid cooling device of FIG. 3 and taken along the line 4C-4C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a liquid cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a heat-absorbing section of the liquid cooling device of FIG. 1 and taken along the line 2A-2A. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the liquid cooling device 1 comprises an upper plate 11 and a lower plate 12. The upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 are combined together to define a chamber 13. A liquid working medium 14 is accommodated within the chamber 13. The chamber 13 comprises a heat-absorbing section 131, a heat-radiating section 132 and a driving section 133. The function of the heat-absorbing section 131 is similar to the function of a liquid cooling head. When the heat-absorbing section 131 is in thermal contact with a heat generation element 2, the heat from the heat generation element 2 is absorbed by the heat-absorbing section 131 and transferred to the liquid working medium 14. Consequently, the temperature of the liquid working medium 14 is increased. The heat-radiating section 132 is connected with a heat dissipation device 15. For example, the heat dissipation device 15 includes plural fins and a fan (not shown). The heat of the liquid working medium 14 is dissipated away through the heat dissipation device 15, and thus the temperature of the liquid working medium 14 is decreased. The driving section 133 is connected with a driving device 16 (see FIG. 2E). For example, the driving device 16 is a liquid pump. By the driving device 16, the liquid cooling medium 14 with the decreased temperature is returned back to the heat-absorbing section 131. Consequently, the liquid cooling medium 14 can be circulated along a next loop.

The upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 are combined as a combined plate structure. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the functions of the liquid cooling head, the liquid cooling radiator and the liquid pump are integrated into the combined plate structure of the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12. In an embodiment, the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 are easily and quickly combined together by a laminating process or a welding process. It is not necessary to additionally connect external pipes. Consequently, the process of assembling the liquid cooling device 1 is simplified, and the possibility of leaking the liquid working medium 14 is minimized.

In the liquid cooling device 1, the function of the heat-radiating section 132 of the chamber 13 is similar to the function of a liquid cooling radiator. For facilitating transferring the heat to the surroundings, the heat-radiating section 132 is connected with the heat dissipation device 15. For example, the heat dissipation device 15 includes plural fins and a fan (not shown). Moreover, the inner structure of the heat-radiating section 132 may be modified to increase the heat dissipating efficacy. For example, the heat-radiating section 132 comprises a curvy channel (e.g., an S-shaped channel) and the curvy channel is equipped with fins. Under this circumstance, the heat dissipating efficacy is enhanced.

In the liquid cooling device 1, the driving section 133 of the chamber 13 has a driving function. For reducing the height of the overall liquid cooling device 1, a built-in small-size driving device 16 is installed in the chamber 13 (see FIG. 2E). For example, the driving device 16 is an impeller or a rotator, which is directly installed in the chamber. By actuating the impeller or the rotator from the outside of the chamber 13, the liquid cooling medium 14 is driven from the heat-radiating section 132 to the heat-absorbing section 131. Consequently, the liquid cooling medium 14 can be circulated along a next loop.

Please refer to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A again. The upper plate 11 of the liquid cooling device 1 comprises a top part 111 and a lateral part 112, and the lower plate 12 of the liquid cooling device 1 comprises a bottom part 121 and a lateral part 122. When the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 are combined together to define the chamber 13, the lateral part 112 of the upper plate 11 and the lateral part 122 of the lower plate 12 are attached on each other. It is noted that the way of connecting the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 and the combined plate structure of the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 are not restricted. In the variant example of FIG. 2B, the upper plate 11 is a flat plate, and the lower plate 12 comprises a bottom part 121 and a lateral part 122. When the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 are combined together to define the chamber 13, the upper plate 11 and the lateral part 122 of the lower plate 12 are attached on each other. In the variant example of FIG. 2C, the upper plate 11 comprises a top part 111 and a lateral part 112, and the lower plate 12 is a flat plate. When the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 are combined together to define the chamber 13, the lateral part 112 of the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 are attached on each other.

The variant example of FIG. 2D is also feasible. The upper plate 11 comprises a top part 111 and a skirt part 113. The skirt part 113 is externally and downwardly extended from the periphery of the top part 111. Moreover, the lower plate 12 comprises a bottom part 121 and a skirt part 123. The skirt part 123 is externally and upwardly extended from the periphery of the bottom part 121. When the skirt part 113 of the upper plate 11 and the skirt part 123 of the lower plate 12 are attached on each other by a laminating process, the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 are combined together more easily. In some other embodiments, one of the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 has the skirt part 113 or 123, and the other of the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 is a flat plate. For example, in another embodiment, the upper plate 11 comprises a top part 111 and a skirt part 113, and the lower plate 12 is a flat plate. When the skirt part 113 of the upper plate 11 is directly attached on the lower plate 12, the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 are combined together. In another embodiment, the lower plate 12 comprises a bottom part 121 and a skirt part 123, and the upper plate 11 is a flat plate. When the skirt part 123 of the lower plate 12 is attached on the upper plate 11, the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 are combined together.

In the above embodiment, the slim-type liquid cooling device is defined by the upper plate and the lower plate. In some other embodiments, the liquid cooling radiator or the pump is externally connected with the upper plate and the lower plate. However, a greater portion of the circular loop is defined by the combination of the upper plate and the lower plate. Consequently, the length or the number of the communication pipes is reduced. In other words, the liquid cooling device of the present invention still has the benefits of the plate-type liquid cooling device (e.g., slimness).

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a liquid cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a heat-absorbing section of the liquid cooling device of FIG. 3 and taken along the line 4A-4A. FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a first extension section of the liquid cooling device of FIG. 3 and taken along the line 4B-4B. FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a second extension section of the liquid cooling device of FIG. 3 and taken along the line 4C-4C.

Please refer to FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 4C. In this embodiment, the liquid cooling device 3 comprises an upper plate 31, a lower plate 32, a liquid cooling radiator 35 and a driving device 36. The upper plate 31 and the lower plate 32 are combined together to define a chamber 33. A liquid working medium 34 is accommodated within the chamber 33. The chamber 33 comprises a heat-absorbing section 331, a first extension section 332 and a second extension section 333. The first extension section 332 is arranged downstream of the heat-absorbing section 331, i.e., an outlet side. The first extension section 332 is connected with the liquid cooling radiator 35. The second extension section 333 is arranged upstream of the heat-absorbing section 331, i.e., an inlet side. The second extension section 333 is connected with the driving device 36. For example, the driving device 36 is a pump. The function of the heat-absorbing section 331 is similar to the function of a liquid cooling head. When the heat-absorbing section 331 is in thermal contact with a heat generation element 4, the heat from the heat generation element 4 is absorbed by the heat-absorbing section 331 and transferred to the liquid working medium 34. Consequently, the temperature of the liquid working medium 34 is increased.

When the upper plate 31 and the lower plate 32 are combined together, the formation of the heat-absorbing section 331 provides the function of the liquid cooling head. Moreover, while the upper plate 31 and the lower plate 32 are formed, the extension sections (i.e., the first extension section 332 and the second extension section 333) that are extended to the positions near the liquid cooling radiator 35 and the driving device 36 are also produced. The combined plate structure of the upper plate 31 and the lower plate 32 retains and expands the benefits such as slimness. Under this circumstance, the volume of the overall liquid cooling device 3 is reduced. Moreover, since the communication pipe is not too long, the possibility of leaking the liquid working medium 34 is minimized.

Moreover, the liquid cooling radiator 35 and the first extension section 332 are connected with each other through a first communication pipe 371, the liquid cooling radiator 35 and the driving device 36 are connected with each other through a second communication pipe 372, and the driving device 36 and the second extension section 333 are connected with each other through a third communication pipe 373.

In the liquid cooling device 3, the driving device 36 is connected with the liquid cooling radiator 35 and the second extension section 333. By the driving device 36, the liquid cooling medium 34 is driven from the liquid cooling radiator 35 to the heat-absorbing section 331. Consequently, the liquid cooling medium 34 can be circulated along a next loop. For reducing the overall height of the liquid cooling device, the driving device is a flat or small driving device such as a slim pump.

Similarly, the upper plate 31 and the lower plate 32 of the liquid cooling device 3 can be easily and quickly combined together by a laminating process or a welding process. The structures of the upper plate and the lower plate may be modified according to the practical requirements. For example, at least one of the upper plate and the lower plate comprises a lateral part and a skirt part.

While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications and similar structures. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid cooling device, comprising: an upper plate; and a lower plate, wherein the upper plate and the lower plate are combined together to define a chamber, a liquid working medium is accommodated within the chamber, and the chamber comprises a heat-absorbing section, a heat-radiating section and a driving section, wherein the heat-absorbing section is in thermal contact with a heat generation element to absorb heat from a heat generation element, so that the heat is transferred to the liquid working medium and a temperature of the liquid working medium is increased, wherein the heat-radiating section is connected with a heat dissipation device, and the heat is removed by the heat dissipation device, so that the temperature of the liquid working medium is decreased, wherein the driving section is connected with a driving device, and the liquid cooling medium with the decreased temperature is driven by the driving device and returned back to the heat-absorbing section.
 2. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the heat dissipation device comprises plural fins and a fan.
 3. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the driving device comprises an impeller, and the impeller is disposed within the driving section of the chamber.
 4. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the upper plate and the lower plate are combined together by a laminating process.
 5. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the upper plate comprises a top part and a first lateral part, and the lower plate comprises a bottom part and a second lateral part, wherein the first lateral part and the second lateral part are attached on each other.
 6. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the lower plate comprises a bottom part and a lateral part, wherein the lateral part of the lower plate and the upper plate are attached on each other.
 7. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the upper plate comprises a top part and a lateral part, wherein the lateral part of the upper plate and the lower plate are attached on each other.
 8. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the upper plate comprises a top part and a first skirt part, and the lower plate comprises a bottom part and a second skirt part, wherein the first skirt part and the second skirt part are attached on each other.
 9. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the upper plate comprises a top part and a skirt part, wherein the skirt part is attached on the lower plate.
 10. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the lower plate comprises a bottom part and a skirt part, wherein the skirt part is attached on the upper plate.
 11. A liquid cooling device, comprising: an upper plate; a lower plate, wherein the upper plate and the lower plate are combined together to define a chamber, and a liquid working medium is accommodated within the chamber, wherein the chamber comprises a heat-absorbing section, a first extension section arranged downstream of the heat-absorbing section, and a second extension section arranged upstream of the heat-absorbing section, wherein the heat-absorbing section is in thermal contact with a heat generation element to absorb heat from a heat generation element, so that the heat is transferred to the liquid working medium and a temperature of the liquid working medium is increased; a liquid cooling radiator connected with the first extension section; and a driving device connected with the liquid cooling radiator and the second extension section.
 12. The liquid cooling device according to claim 11, wherein the upper plate and the lower plate are combined together by a laminating process.
 13. The liquid cooling device according to claim 11, wherein the upper plate comprises a top part and a first lateral part, and the lower plate comprises a bottom part and a second lateral part, wherein the first lateral part and the second lateral part are attached on each other.
 14. The liquid cooling device according to claim 11, wherein the lower plate comprises a bottom part and a lateral part, wherein the lateral part of the lower plate and the upper plate are attached on each other.
 15. The liquid cooling device according to claim 11, wherein the upper plate comprises a top part and a lateral part, wherein the lateral part of the upper plate and the lower plate are attached on each other.
 16. The liquid cooling device according to claim 11, wherein the upper plate comprises a top part and a first skirt part, and the lower plate comprises a bottom part and a second skirt part, wherein the first skirt part and the second skirt part are attached on each other.
 17. The liquid cooling device according to claim 11, wherein the upper plate comprises a top part and a skirt part, wherein the skirt part is attached on the lower plate.
 18. The liquid cooling device according to claim 11, wherein the lower plate comprises a bottom part and a skirt part, wherein the skirt part is attached on the upper plate.
 19. The liquid cooling device according to claim 11, wherein the liquid cooling device further comprises a first communication pipe, a second communication pipe and a third communication pipe, wherein the liquid cooling radiator and the first extension section are connected with each other through the first communication pipe, the liquid cooling radiator and the driving device are connected with each other through the second communication pipe, and the driving device and the second extension section are connected with each other through the third communication pipe. 